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New Mexico emissions test (Air Care): the official wording
Everything in quotation marks here is from 2 sources and was matched to them on November 11, 2026. The quotes are the sources’ words; ours only label them.
About these quotes.
The quotes come from the City of Albuquerque’s page and the state Motor Vehicle Division’s page. Where the two pages word a point differently, the lines are shown together.
On this page: where · how often · fee · new and older vehicles · diesel, electric, hybrid · check a vehicle · sources
What does the text call it?
Learn about the Vehicle Pollution Management Division (VPMD) and how to get your vehicle's emissions tested at an Air Care Inspection Station.
The page we point to: City of Albuquerque, Vehicle Emissions Testing.
Which counties does the text name?
The quoted text names 1 county:
- Bernalillo County
Emissions testing is required of motor vehicles registered or commuting in Bernalillo County.
Emissions testing is required for motor vehicles, including hybrid vehicles, registered in Albuquerque-Bernalillo County.
How often is the test?
All 1991 and newer motor vehicles up to 10,000 lbs GVW must pass an emission test every two years and at change of ownership.
Passing test results are good for 1 or 2 years, depending the vehicle.
What does the test cost?
Testing fees are set by the individual test stations and are usually about $30 plus tax.
What does the text say about new and older vehicles?
Listed under:
Vehicles That Do Not Require an Emissions Test
New vehicles purchased from a dealership or manufacturer, in the original owner's possession, for 4 years following initial registration with the MVD
Shown with it, so that neither is read alone:
Brand new vehicles do not need an emissions test for four years following initial registration from the date of the manufacture's certiificate of origin.
All vehicles up to 35 years old (1992 and newer) and weighing under 10,001 lbs must pass an emissions test.
All 1991 and newer motor vehicles up to 10,000 lbs GVW must pass an emission test every two years and at change of ownership.
What about diesel, electric and hybrid vehicles?
Every current line we hold for New Mexico that uses the word diesel, electric or hybrid. Some are about one place or one kind of test; each speaks for itself.
Emissions testing is required for motor vehicles, including hybrid vehicles, registered in Albuquerque-Bernalillo County.
Dedicated, fully-electric vehicles are not subject to testing.
Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs), including Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) are subject to testing and can be tested at any certified Air Care Station.
Only dedicated electric vehicles and diesel vehicles are exempt from emission testing.
What about heavier vehicles?
Listed under:
Vehicles That Do Not Require an Emissions Test
Vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,001 lbs. or more
What else does the text say?
An emissions test is also required at change of ownership.
VPMD offers one free retest for vehicles that do not pass an emissions test within 90 days of the failed test date.
Check a vehicle against these quotes
Enter a model year, a fuel and a weight rating, and choose the county. The checker repeats the quotes above and, where a figure can be compared, says where your entry falls against it. It does not decide anything about your vehicle.
Where do these quotes come from?
- City of Albuquerque, Vehicle Emissions Testing (cabq.gov; city or county government page; read November 11, 2026)
- New Mexico MVD, Emission Testing (mvd.newmexico.gov; state agency page; read November 11, 2026)
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